University of Michigan
MA, Curriculum and Instruction, 1998.
Master of Arts with Certification Program. Secondary level teaching certifications in Social Studies, Political Science, and Mathematics.
Academics: Enrolled in an intensive one-year Master of Arts with Certification program, and completed coursework requirements for an MA in Education while student teaching full-time in the Saline, Michigan school district.
Carried an extra graduate course in addition to the mandated schedule during each term of the program, focusing on the use and implementation of geographic information systems in the educational environment. To accomplish this, had to rapidly become familiar with a number of PC-based software packages, including mapping utilities, graphic design programs, presentation formatters, spreadsheet applications, and web page/internet editors.
Employment: Employed at Target as a sales floor team leader during the first third of the graduate program. Originally in charge of the seasonal presentation of the store; later moved to take over as head of housewares, plastics, and chemicals, accounting for some $11 million worth of yearly sales. Responsibilities included guest support, product merchandising, inventory control, purchase ordering, and team member training, oversight, and discipline.
Activities: The majority of any remaining free time was spent with my wife and our new baby, who was born 3 weeks before the start of the program. We did open up our house as an escape for the other members of the cohort to enjoy away from campus and organized a number of social activities.
Northwestern University
BA, Political Science, 1991.
Concentrations in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
Academics: Entered the university as a National Merit Commended Student and awarded an American Foreign Service Association scholarship. Academic emphases were International Relations and Comparative Politics, earning departmental certification in both areas. Junior year research seminar examined recently declassified documents pertaining to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and selected as Northwestern’s delegate to the 1991 Conference on National Security held at the Air Force Academy. Significant coursework in the field of education, completing all the academic requirements for an endorsement in social studies.
Employment: Worked through university, as an employee and eventually student manager at the University Union. During my junior year was a Resident Assistant in a freshman dormitory. Also served as a kitchen board crew member.
Activities: Four-year member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, serving in various positions including pledge father, assistant rush chair, and executive board member. Participated in numerous philanthropic activities, including coaching in the Special Olympics and dancing (twice) in the university’s 30 hour Dance Marathon. Enjoyed playing intramural football, softball, and floor hockey and was a member of the club racquetball team.
Bonn American High School
HS Diploma, 1987
Academics: Participated in the International Baccalaureate program, earning certification in Physics, Mathematics, English, and History. Member of the school Knowledge Bowl team and was awarded the area American Women’s Group Academic Scholarship Award.
Activities: Four year letterman in wrestling, qualifying for the Central European Championships in final three years and earning the school Wrestler of the Year award during both junior and senior years. Captain of the football team senior year and pole vaulted in the spring. Played saxophone and was band president, as well as architect/manager for a brand new school store built during the summer between junior and senior years. Traveled extensively around western Europe and went to the Soviet Union during the 1987 spring break.
Other: BAHS, a DoDDS school with around 50% international enrollment, closed in the spring of 1997 due to the shift of the federal government from Bonn to Berlin. There is a new Bonn International School on the old site.